One blog that I frequently check is Everyday Life in Maoist China maintained by Covell Meyskens. The author scours Chinese websites to find pictures, mostly from the days of Mao or thereabouts, and reposts them. Lots of great, old photos that are not collected elsewhere and that I would never be able to come across alone. I was delighted to see this post with scans of old political cartoons.

A few of the cartoons show some pretty ugly racism directed especially toward the Japanese, though one of the cartoons shows particular sensitivity to African-Americans. If I could read Chinese, I’m sure I could comment more on the content, but the artwork in is as good and accessible as anything in the West. Several of the cartoons really shine.

This is the old Jewish Synagogue that used to be on First Street in Dayton. It was in use from 1893 until 1927. It is architecturally interesting because of the multiple entrances. Dayton is home to several large, active, and very diverse Jewish congregations.

This is the Victoria Theatre (yes, the British spelling, please), one of Dayton’s finest jewels. Originally built six-stories high, it has been torched, flooded, and burned since it became one of the first opera houses outside the East coast in the United States.